This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Downtown's 2nd Street Tunnel will remain closed through the weekend after it was discovered loose tiles were falling onto the roadway, reports City News Service.On Wednesday, the tunnel was closed after debris was found on the road, and the Bureau of Engineering later discovered that more tiles lining the 92-year-old tunnel were found to be loose. For now, the Bureau of Engineering's main concern is the immediate safety of people who use the tunnel. A restoration will be a project for later.
Update: We are planning to re-open 2nd St. Tunnel on Monday, June 13 pic.twitter.com/aWgBJMDq0H
— LADOT (@LADOTofficial) June 10, 2016
"In the long term, the cause of the tiles loosening will have to be assessed," Elena Street, spokeswoman for the Bureau of Engineering told CNS. "Further action will have to be determined based on that assessment."
Stern says crews will test the looseness of the tiles by simply tapping on them.
Even if you don't regularly drive through the 2nd Street Tunnel, you certainly recognize it. Completed in 1924, the tunnel goes under Bunker Hill and its white tiles give it the distinctive glow that make it a frequent star of movies (Blade Runner and The Terminator, to name two L.A. examples), music videos and car commercials.
